Missoula and Mary Jane – Huge Weekend for Marijuana Dispensaries

Well, contrary to what your grandmother may have thought, we are three days into legalized marijuana sales and society has not collapsed. New Year's Day was the official first day that recreational marijuana sales were allowed in Montana. In fact, 9 a.m. on January 1 was when dispensaries all over the state opened their doors. And BOY they were BUSY!

I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't a little curious about how the dispensaries were doing. Having a few friends in the medical and recreational marijuana industry, I had to stop by a couple of shops and say "Hi." Or do I mean "High?"

Just next door to our studios is where you will find my buddy Marc's place. Marc and his company Moncanna have been supplying medical patients with cannabis for years. Now that it is recreational, I decided to stop in and see how business was. Marc was happy to see so many new faces. Outside of his usual medical patients stopping in, Marc also saw a steady flow of recreational users stop in. With dozens of strains to choose from as well as edible options, Moncanna almost resembled a craft brewery, with a menu board filled with different options to choose from. Marc says he managed to generate almost 500% of his typical daily revenue.

So what is the deal with the new recreational marijuana law in Montana?

Montana law allows for people over the age of 21 to purchase up to one ounce of marijuana with a 20% state sales tax added to the purchase. Medical patients do not have to pay the state tax. Local dispensaries will only be allowed to be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Montanans are allowed to have two mature plants and two seedlings in their home.